AT&T has long been rumored to have been one of the possible corporate sponsors for naming rights at Cowboys Stadium. These were confirmed, to some degree, by Arlington Mayor Bob Cluck, who said earlier this year that, indeed, the telecommunications company was one of a number of businesses that had spoken to the team about naming rights.
However, these rumors were dealt a possible blow when AT&T struck a similar deal with a Dallas performing arts center this week, to the tune of $354 million. Now, the effects on the possible deal between they, and Cowboys Stadium are more hazy than ever. As reported this morning in the Dallas Morning News, AT&T officials will neither confirm or deny their interest in naming rights for the new stadium.
"There are naming opportunities around the country, and we are approached about most of them," said AT&T spokeswoman Sarah Andreani in a prepared statement.
This is the latest in a string of refusals on the part of AT&T to discuss their interest in the potential deal with the team.
As pointed out in the initial report, many in the sports business realm predicted record breaking numbers for the eventual naming rights deal. However, the recession essentially doused any interest, and Jerry Jones was forced to play a long and quietly arduous waiting game before deciding on Cowboys Stadium, at least in the interim.
